Waymo LLC is gearing up to roll out its autonomous taxi service in Washington, D.C., by 2026. This is a big step for the company, and they’re working closely with local authorities to set up the right safety and regulatory measures for driverless cars in the capital. Waymo’s co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “Waymo One is making fully autonomous driving a reality for millions of people across the U.S. We’re excited to bring the comfort, consistency, and safety of Waymo One to Washingtonians, those who work and play in the city every day, and the millions of people from around the world who travel to the District every year.”
This move follows Waymo’s earlier announcement in January about bringing back its Waymo Driver to D.C. In the coming months, they plan to engage more with local communities and emergency services, ensuring a smooth transition.
Interestingly, D.C. will be the first city with significant snowfall—averaging 13.7 inches annually, according to the National Weather Service—to host Waymo’s technology. Jonathan Adkins, CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association, has confidence in Waymo’s safety, sharing, “I’ve experienced firsthand how safely the Waymo Driver operates around pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.”
Currently, Waymo One is already providing over 200,000 fully autonomous paid trips weekly in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin. In 2025, they introduced their robotaxis in Austin through the Uber app and have plans to expand to Atlanta and Miami. In 2024, they launched services in Los Angeles and expanded in San Francisco and Phoenix, introducing their sixth-generation robotaxi.
Waymo’s growth is backed by significant funding—$5.6 billion secured in October 2024, led by Alphabet with key contributions from Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, and others. Despite the closure of its competitor Cruise, Waymo is up against companies like Zoox and Nuro, who are also making strides in the autonomous vehicle space. Nuro has been enhancing its services with zero-occupant vehicles, while Zoox is expanding in California and Nevada.
Waymo’s journey is one to watch, as they continue to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology while ensuring safety and reliability for all road users.
